Book Review: Delighting in the Trinity

Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith An Introduction to the Christian Faith by Michael Reeves

I know my Trinitarian formulations back and forth—I’ve even made a quiz on it—and I get a geeky thrill thinking about how to accurately express truths about God as Trinity. It’s the same sort of rush I used to get from solving long algebra equations. It is important to get our trinitarian formulations right, but the Trinity is so much more than formulations. According to Mike Reeves, the Trinity is what makes God delightful; it’s what makes him good and loving and desirable. 

Delighting in the Trinity consists of five chapters, each showing how the Trinity makes our God more beautiful than a single person God would be. The God who is Trinity is considered as he exists in eternity, in his work in creation, in his work in salvation, and as he works in the life of the believer. Then, in the last chapter, Reeves considers what he calls the “words we use to describe God,” specifically examining God’s holiness, wrath, and glory and how the triune being of God “brightens and defines them.” (The links in the paragraph above lead to previously posted excerpts from the chapter described.)

Previously posted quotes from Delighting in the Trinity:

When Father Is a Bad Thing

Always Being Together….

If God Were Single

God’s Wrath Is Proof….

Michael Reeves’ passion for the doctrine of the Trinity comes through on every page of this book, so it is a joy to read. It’s obvious that for him, the doctrine of the Trinity is not dry, irrelevant, or embarrassing, but the central truth of Christianity, “the truth that shapes and beautifies all others.” His enthusiasm is contagious; if you read Delighting in the Trinity and it doesn’t make you more passionate about the Trinity, you might be dead.

This is a short book, conversationally written, so I can recommend it for almost any Christian. Reeves doesn’t assume that the reader has a background in Trinitarian theology, so it is an excellent choice for a student or new believer. And his passion for the subject makes it a good choice even for those who consider themselves well-studied in the faith. None of us are beyond more delight in the Trinity.

Michael Reeves is currently theological adviser for the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF) in the United Kingdom. He oversees Theology Network, a resource I  use frequently for Theological Terms posts.

I have two small peeves: the humour—it was mostly fun, but sometimes a bit annoying; and the structure—the text occasionally seemed disorganized. I have a hunch both of these things are there because the book is written with students in mind, so I wouldn’t ask that anything be changed. I mention them only to warn other uptight sourpusses not to be put off by them. Keep reading; you’ll be glad you did.

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[I also liked Mike Reeve’s YouTube videos on the Trinity (Trinity Media). Watch them and let them convince you to read this book.]

Round the Sphere Again: Recommended for Listening

Objections to Christianity
I’ve read Tim Keller’s The Reason for God and liked it. (I posted my review a couple of years ago.) This week I started listening to the sermons related to the book (Redeemer Presbyterian Church). I haven’t listened to them all, but I’ve heard enough to recommend them to you.

If you’ve already read The Reason for God, consider listening to these as a refresher. I think there’s one thing that makes the sermons even better than the book: You can hear the pastoral concern in Keller’s voice as he preaches.

Worth the Investment
Fred Butler posted a list of recommended podcasts. I’ve listened to most of these at least a few times, and I agree with Fred on all the ones I’m familiar with.

Theological Term of the Week

advent
The coming of Christ, used to refer to either his incarnation (first advent), or his future second coming (second advent). Also used in reference to the season of worship (or the period of the church calendar) leading up to and anticipating the celebration of the birth of Christ.  

• From scripture:

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5 ESV)

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, [12] training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, [13] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ … . (Titus 2:11-13 ESV)

• From George Eldon Ladd:

[C]ontrary to outward appearances, the life of Jesus of Nazareth embodies an invasion into history by God, veiled though it was. In this veiled form the presence of God could be seen only by the eyes of faith…

This is why the Second Coming of Christ is necessary – to complete the work begun in his Incarnation. There are, in other words, two great events in God’s conquest of the powers of evil, two invasions of God into history: the Incarnation and the Second Coming. 

Learn more:

1. Blue Letter Bible: Celebrating the First Advent of Christ
2. Bob Deffinbaugh: The Coming of the Christ
3. Leon Morris: Second Coming of Christ
4. Kim Riddlebarger: The Second Coming
5. John MacArthur: Living in Anticipation of Christ’s Return, Part 1, Part 2 (audio)

Related term:

• ascension of Jesus
• incarnation
• virgin birth

Filed under Person and Work of Christ

Do you have a term you’d like to see featured here as a Theological Term of the Week? If you email it to me, I’ll seriously consider using it, giving you credit for the suggestion and linking back to your blog when I do.

Clicking on the Theological Term graphic at the top of this post will take you to a list of all the previous theological terms in alphabetical order.